Methods and systems for determining the authenticity of an identity document

Abstract

A method for determining the authenticity of an identity document is provided that includes capturing, by an electronic device, image data of an identity document. The identity document has a first side and a second side. The image data includes an image of the first side and an image of the second side. The first side includes data about a person associated with the identity document and second side includes a PDF417 barcode which has features. The method also includes determining a class of the identity document. The features of the PDF417 barcode adhere to criteria established for the determined class of the identity document. Moreover, the method includes analyzing the features of the PDF417 barcode for anomalies. In response to determining the features of the PDF417 barcode are free of anomalies, the identity document is determined to be authentic. Otherwise, the identity document is determined to be fraudulent.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for determining the authenticity of an identity document comprising the steps of:
 capturing, by an electronic device, image data of an identity document, the identity document being one of a plurality of different card types, the image data including an image of a barcode, the barcode including features, at least one side and a margin along the at least one side; 
 determining a class of the one card type, wherein features of the barcode adhere to criteria established for the determined class; 
 measuring the color spectrum of pixels in the margin; 
 at least one of analyzing a distribution of illumination intensity across the margin using the color spectrum measurements and analyzing a pattern of illumination across the margin using the color spectrum measurements; 
 comparing results of the at least one analysis against the respective criteria for barcodes on the determined class of document; and 
 in response to determining all of the results comply with the respective criteria, determining the identity document is authentic. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the identity document includes a Guilloche pattern extending into the margin. 
     
     
       3. A method for determining the authenticity of an identity document comprising the steps of:
 capturing, by an electronic device, image data of an identity document, the identity document being one of a plurality of different card types, the image data including an image of a barcode, the barcode including features, at least one side and a margin along the at least one side, wherein text is in the margin; 
 determining a class of the one card type, wherein features of the barcode adhere to criteria established for the determined class; 
 measuring the color spectrum of pixels in the margin; 
 analyzing a pattern of illumination across the margin using the color spectrum measurements; 
 comparing results of the analysis against the respective criteria for barcodes on the determined class of document; and 
 in response to determining all of the results comply with the respective criteria, determining the identity document is authentic. 
 
     
     
       4. An electronic device for determining authenticity of an identity document comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory configured to store data, said electronic device being associated with a network and said memory being in communication with said processor and having instructions stored thereon which, when read and executed by said processor, cause said electronic device to: 
 capture image data of an identity document, the identity document being one of a plurality of different card types, the image data including an image of a barcode including features, at least one side and a margin along the at least one side; 
 determine a class of the card type, wherein features of the barcode adhere to criteria established for the determined class; 
 measure the color spectrum of pixels in the margin; 
 analyze at least one of a distribution of illumination intensity across the margin using the color spectrum measurements and a pattern of illumination across the margin using the color spectrum measurements; 
 compare results of the at least one analysis against the respective criteria for barcodes on the determined class of document; and 
 in response to determining all of the results comply with the respective criteria, determine the identity document is authentic. 
 
     
     
       5. The electronic device according to  claim 4 , wherein the identity document includes a Guilloche pattern extending into the margin. 
     
     
       6. An electronic device for determining authenticity of an identity document comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory configured to store data, said electronic device being associated with a network and said memory being in communication with said processor and having instructions stored thereon which, when read and executed by said processor, cause said electronic device to: 
 capture image data of an identity document, the identity document being one of a plurality of different card types, the image data including an image of a barcode including features, at least one side and a margin along the at least one side, wherein text is in the margin; 
 determine a class of the card type, wherein features of the barcode adhere to criteria established for the determined class; 
 measure the color spectrum of pixels in the margin; 
 analyze a pattern of illumination across the margin using the color spectrum measurements; 
 compare results of the analysis against the respective criteria for barcodes on the determined class of document; and 
 in response to determining all of the results comply with the respective criteria, determine the identity document is authentic.